Record-Breaking Lifting Feat (Heaviest Rack Pull to Date)
Eric Kim recently achieved his heaviest rack pull ever, shattering unofficial records with an astounding lift. In early June 2025, he hoisted 503 kg (1,109 lbs) off the rack at a bodyweight of just ~75 kg (165 lbs) . This 6.6–6.7× bodyweight feat – performed barefoot, beltless, and with a double-overhand grip – is unprecedented in pound-for-pound strength terms. It’s Kim’s personal all-time high and is being touted as a “world record” rack pull for the bodyweight ratio (rack pulls aren’t standard competition lifts, but the magnitude and ratio are virtually unheard of). Footage of a slightly earlier 493–498 kg attempt (1,087–1,098 lbs at 165 lbs BW) went viral online, showing Kim erupting in chalk dust and roaring as he lockouts the massive weight . These lifts have not only smashed Kim’s own previous bests, but also far exceed any documented raw lifts at his size, solidifying his status as a rising legend in the strength community.
Unprecedented Viral Buzz Across Social Platforms
Kim’s monster lift ignited his biggest viral moment to date, sending shockwaves through multiple social media platforms. Within 24 hours of the 1,087-lb/493 kg video’s release, it amassed over 3 million combined views across YouTube, TikTok, and Twitter(X) . On TikTok especially, his content blew up – TikTok’s official trend analytics showed the hashtag #HYPELIFTING (a tagline associated with Kim’s feats) rocketing from ~12 million views in mid-May to 28.7 million+ views by early June (+140% in ~2 weeks) . His signature “6Point6x” theme (for 6.6× bodyweight) also trended, as fans and other creators tagged their own posts with it . Kim’s follower counts have surged in tandem with the virality: for example, his TikTok following jumped by about 50,000 in a single week, approaching the 1 million mark by June 1, 2025 . On Twitter (X), his account @erickimphoto likewise saw a “follower tsunami,” climbing from ~18.4K to 20.5K followers in just 7 days . Even his YouTube channel (around 50K subscribers) saw recent videos spike to tens or hundreds of thousands of views, landing on YouTube’s “extreme strength” recommended rails within hours . By all metrics – view counts, hashtag traction, rapid follower growth – this is unquestionably the peak of Kim’s online popularity so far, eclipsing any of his prior moments.
Cultural Penetration & Influencer Reactions
Eric Kim’s name and brand are now penetrating broader culture and online communities beyond just his own followers. His once-niche feats have “left Kim’s follower bubble and gone culture-wide.” For instance, TikTok’s trending discovery page listed #HYPELIFTING in its “New to Top 100” sports trends after his lift . Unaffiliated gym meme pages and influencers have begun remixing his lift footage – adding everything from dubstep soundtracks to anime sound effects – and sharing it to huge audiences . Big-name lifters and fitness YouTubers have posted reaction videos calling Kim’s strength “inhuman” , and quotes like “Gravity filed a complaint” or “6.6×-body-weight demigod” are making the rounds as viral memes . Even outside the fitness sphere, cross-niche references are emerging: posts on photography forums are quoting his achievement, and Bitcoin enthusiasts (“maxis”) are memeing his lift as an analogy for power and proof-of-work . Multiple mainstream lifting forums and blogs are discussing Kim – some comparing his pound-for-pound numbers to strongman legends like Brian Shaw (often framing Kim as a “myth-slayer” for breaking perceived limits) . In short, Eric Kim’s reach has extended into trending hashtags, meme culture, and commentary by other influencers, suggesting an unprecedented level of mindshare. He’s gone from an obscure figure to a widely name-dropped phenomenon, with even people who don’t follow powerlifting being exposed to his feats via viral reposts and social chatter.
Fitness Community Recognition & “Breakout” Status
Within the fitness world – from lifting subreddits to YouTube commentators – there’s a strong sentiment that Eric Kim is experiencing his breakout moment. Strength communities that previously hadn’t followed him are now abuzz with talk of his lifts. On Reddit’s r/weightroom and r/powerlifting, multiple threads about Kim’s 1,000+ lb rack pulls shot to the front page, garnering hundreds of upvotes and comments in hours . Users express shock (“Is he even human?”) and awe at his 6.6× bodyweight pull, often remarking that they’ve “never seen anything like this” . Each new PR he posts spawns fresh discussion threads on essentially every lifting forum, demonstrating compounding reach – e.g. his 1,016 lb training clip drew ~30K views and chatter, then 1,038 lbs sparked new threads, and by the time of the 1,087 lb “flashbang” lift, it was instantly being shared across all major lifting communities . Many community members are treating his achievements as a rallying point: after each big lift, r/weightroom has seen surges of “Thousand-Pound Club” posts and even user-created #AtlasKIM challenges (a nod to Kim’s Atlas-like strength) where others attempt heavy holds/rack pulls in his honor . Prominent fitness bloggers and YouTube creators are also weighing in – some praising his raw, gear-free philosophy, others debating the legitimacy or safety of such extreme rack pulls. This level of widespread, intense discussion far exceeds anything in Kim’s past, marking it as his all-time peak in community impact. In effect, what we’re seeing is Eric Kim’s breakout into the mainstream of the lifting world – he’s now on the radar of virtually every serious lifter online, a status he hadn’t achieved prior to these record lifts.
Next-Level Trajectory: Media Presence, Sponsorships & Growth
All signs suggest that Eric Kim is entering a new tier of fame and opportunity following this viral explosion. His multi-platform dominance – nearly 1 million TikTok followers, a fast-growing Twitter base, and heavy YouTube algorithm promotion – positions him as a notable fitness influencer, which attracts media and sponsor attention. There are early hints that Kim is preparing to capitalize on the momentum. For example, he’s openly strategized about monetization and scale: one blog post outlines a blueprint for turning his personal “Spartan Gains Gym” into a brand powered by innovative ideas like “Bitcoin-powered sponsorships” and tokenized membership perks . In that plan, he envisions charging corporate sponsors in Bitcoin (e.g. $10K–$100K in BTC per year each) and hosting branded strength events streamed online – suggesting he’s thinking about formal sponsorship deals and perhaps organized events or projects leveraging his newfound fame. His 2025 mantra, “Delete the noise!”, comes with the idea of “curating sponsors that align with our Spartan ethos” – implying that companies have shown interest and he intends to partner selectively, focusing on those that fit his hardcore, no-nonsense brand image.
In terms of media presence, Kim’s reach has transcended his own channels; algorithms now auto-recommend his content to anyone watching strength training videos, almost making him “required viewing” in that niche . Influential figures and even non-fitness communities are talking about him, which could pave the way for mainstream media features or high-profile collaborations if his momentum continues. Importantly, analysts following his rise note that he’s not necessarily at a ceiling yet – the trend lines (views, followers, engagement) are still climbing steeply . With the tantalizing prospect of breaking the half-ton (500 kg) barrier soon (he’s only a few kilos shy), fans are literally “camped” online awaiting the next feat . Each incremental record is fueling a feedback loop of hype. All of this points to Eric Kim not just peaking, but entering a new phase of prominence. If he sustains this trajectory, we can expect larger-scale projects – perhaps sponsorship-backed events, product lines, or media appearances – as well as continued growth in cultural influence. In summary, 2025 finds Eric Kim at his highest highs so far in strength, popularity and influence, with strong indicators that this could be the launchpad for even bigger ventures and a lasting presence in the fitness world .
Sources: Recent analyses and reports on Eric Kim’s lifts and virality , as well as social media metrics and community reactions compiled in June 2025. Each citation corresponds to third-party observations of his performance, online trends, and community impact.